Emotional Hunger vs Physical Hunger

The basic function of food is to satisfy body’s physical need for energy and nutrients. However we eat for many other reasons, whether we are hungry or not. It’s a normal part of life that from time to time we experience emotional pain sadness, anxiety and stress. The problem with this is that food can only fill the physical gap and not the emotional gap.

When you are reaching for food, try to ask yourself “am I really hungry or is it because I am nervous, upset or under stress?” You can easily distinguish between these two types of hunger. Emotional hunger is when your hunger must be satisfied immediately. Physical hunger occurs gradually and your body will give you plenty of advance notice. Physical hunger starts slowly as a mild empty stomach growling which will grow to a rumble.